Electric-lamp socket



Apr. 10,1923. 1,451,122

- I C. E. STAHL ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKET F1 led' Jan. 22, 1920 Patented Apr.10, 1923.

; omreu STATES 1,451,122 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. STAHL, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE CONNECTICUTTELEPHONE & ELECTRIC CO., INC., OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUR'A CORPORA- TIONOF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC-LAMP SOCKET.

Application filed January 22, 1920. Serial No. 353,270.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LCHARLEs E. STAHL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Meriden, Conn, have invented a new and usefulElectric-Lamp Socket, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its main object the production of a simple,inexpensive device as a socket or holder for incandescent electric lampbulbs. In its preferred form the socket is formed in one piece fromsheet metal, for instance steel, and has a base, two spring arms andyielding jaws for receiving and holding the stem of a bulb.

Fig. 1 is a side View and partial section of a device embodying theimprovements of my invintion showlng electric connections therewit 'Fig.2 is a side view showing the parts with the bulb stem about to beinserted.

Fig. 3 is a similar view with the bulb stem partially inserted.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the socket by itself.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of a modified spring contact and screw.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the socket.

The device is particularly intended for small bulbs such as 10 havingcylindrical stems such as 11 with one or more end contacts such as 12and lateral pins or projections such as 13.

The socket base 14 has a central perforation 15 for the attaching screwand may have one or more prongs such as 16 on opposite sides forassisting and holding the base from twisting. Theside arms 17 -17 ex-'tend abruptly from the base and are preferably somewhat arched in crosssection to stiffen them and to cause them to conform to the cylindricalwalls of the stem of the bulb. The outer ends of the arms are providedwith jaws such as 18 and 19 adapted to embrace the stem of the bulb.Between the ends of the jaws 18 and 19 is an opening 20 which iscontracted toward the center so as to afiord a tapered entrance fromboth ends for'the pins 13 of the bulb stem. The shape and proportions ofthe arms and jaws are such that when the parts are in the position shownin Fig. 3, the space 20 between the ends of the jaws 18 and 19 isnarrower than the diameter of the pin 13. As a reshown in Fig. 1, inwhich the friction of the parts is sufficient normally to hold the stemfrom accldental disengagement.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the

support 21 afi'ords electrical connection with the base of the socketand the screw 22 affords electrical connection through the sprlng 23with the end terminal of the bulb. The screw 22 is shown insulated fromthe support 21 by means of a bushing 24. A nut 25 may be employed totighten the screw 22. In the form shown in Fig. 5 the screw 22' and thespring 25' are of slightly difierent form.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 the base 14 has a single arm 17 and thereare but two jaws 18' and 19 with a space 20' between their free endsforthe passage of one of the pins on the bulb stem. In case the bulb isprovided with two pins of course a passage must beprovided opposite thepassage 20 as for instance by means of a groove 26.

If desired, recesses such as 27 for the pins may be provided in the rearedges of the jaws as a further insurance against accidentaldisplacement.

.I claim:

1. In a socket for a lamp stem having a pin thereon, a base, yieldingarms on said base and extending at an angle thereto, curved springjawson said arms forming pin holding shoulders and having rounded ends, saidjaws being adapted to substantially encircle a lamp stem, the adjacentrounded ends of the spring jaws being normally spaced apart a distanceless than the diameter of the pin on a lamp stem whereby when a lampstem is inserted in the socket the pin on the stem will s ring the jawsapart to said jaws, said jaws being formed to substantially encircle alamp stem, the adjacent ends of said jaws being normally spaced apart adistance less-than the thickness of the pin on a lamp stem whereby whena lamp stem is inserted in the socket the pin on the stem will enter thetapered space between the ends of the jaws and spring the latter apartto permit the insertion of the stem and the jaws will afterward springback to a distance apart less than the thickness of the pin on the lampstem to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the stem.

3. In a socket for a lamp stemhaving a pin thereon, a base, a jawforming a pin holding shoulder, means for supporting said jaw from saidbase, a member supported from said base and extending into proximity tothe free end of said jaw, said jaw member being adapted to substantiallyencircle a lamp stem, the distance between the free end of said aw andthe adjacent member being less than the thickness of the pin on the lampstem, whereby when a lamp stem is inserted in the socket the pin on thestem will enter the space between the jaW and the adjacent member andsprin the jaw and member apart to stem and therea er the parts willspring backto a distance apart less than the thickness of the pin on thelamp stem to prevent the accidental withdrawalof-the stem.

I CHARLES'E. STAHL.

ermit the insertion of the

